St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-26

climax of open denial, and yet
it is a mistake if one think that
the being ashamed and the being intidel
are one and the same thing. TO the
contrary, it is chiefly among those who
secretly acknowledge Christ Jesus as
Lord and who if asked by protesting
Christians would declare themselves of
he same belief, that we look for that
being ashamed of the Savior of which
we speak to-day. If 4 Christian man is
thrown into company where religion Is
thr ough dread of ridicule he keeps 81
lence, he may make what excuse he will
to himself, there is the evident conclu-
sion that he is ashamed of Christ and
his words. The man who conforms to
certain practices of the world, practices
which he secretly condemns, or of whose
lawfulneSS at least he is in dOubt-who.
conforms through the fear of being de-
noun ced puritanical or over-precise, say
what he will, such a man is ashamed of
Jesus and his words. When
ever we avoid declaring ourselves
on the side of Christ. because to do so
would provoke the sheer of the fashion
able; whenever we shrink from declar-
ing the doctrine of the cross, because it
would seem to make us contemplate in
the eyes or the railroads.&c.; whenever
we leave vice unreprOved, because to
reprove it might raise a laugh at our eX-
penSe, or virtue undefended because to
defend it might bring raillery on our
selves: whenever the fear of ridicule
keeps us back from giving our testimony
whether by word or deed. in favor of
true religion and against all that is OPP
posed to it, then and there are we in
deed guilty of being ashamed of Christ
and his words. Think not that the stake
and Scatfold, the instruments of perSe-
cutiOn, are the main engines of this be-
ing ashamed. Think not to east off the
danger from yourselves by refer
ring it to times when Chris
tianS were required to be
martyrs. The being ashamed of Christ
belongs especially to days when there
is no open persecution, when those who
asSail the faith assail it only by the
subtle argument, the foolish jest, or the
coarse lampO0n. Satan as roaring lion
might cause us to tremble away our
souls. but if Satan as biting wit, who
is likely to make us blush them away. 1t
is appalling to think how almost uni
versally may the charge be brought of
the being ashamed of Christ and his
words. At one time or another in some
company or ether we perhaps have all
been verify guilty of Sinking before a
laugh. or avoiding confeSSing ourselves
disciples OF the Lord Jesus Christ and
believers in the Gospel, because we
could too well perceive from the tone
and temper prevalent that we should be
sneered at; and yet do you know, be-
loved, that we perhaps have lost the great
opportunity to accomplish much for the
Master, forgive ME for referring to my
self, and let me first confess myself
Nv of l,n oh On
cuSatiOn. but let me say do not believe
there is by any means most often even
a Jeerlng response when we are declar-
ing ourselves for the Master. Christ
shall actually blush to look upon such
men-men for whom He humbled Him.
self, for whom He died and nevertheless
who would not own Him lest it might
cost them the Scorn of worldly men. If
it had been only on some special Occa-
sion that the dread of the worlds laugh,
not of the worlds power, for this is
quite another case, have produced a
cowardly desertion of Christ, and if
such desertion has been bitterly be-
walled and confessed, still we dare not
say that the text will have no applica-
ton. o, | can feel that there will be that
in the countenance of the Redeemer
which will go thrilIingiy and reprOach-
fully to the hearts of those who have
been ashamed Of Jesus and His words.
The blush may not last, it may be
speedily lost. in the beaming smile with
which He bids His church welcome to
the kingdom of His father; but there
shall be enough it may he in the most
transient indication of shame to make
even forgiveness well-nigh painful and
to force on the Individual the conviction
that the lOftier place in the heavenly
hahitat:nn muSf halpnU tn tboCn who
have been the most constant in confess
ing Christ before men. We warn YOU
all and especially the younger amongst
you, against the being ashamed of be-
ing religiouS-aShamed of taking care
of your souls and avoiding the punish
ment which the Bible declares shall be
the portion of those who die in their
sins. Alas for the folly the worse than
folly, OF doing what you know to be
wrong or not doing what you
now to be right-rather than run the
risk OF being laughed at by ungodly
people. Take courage to be good and
not to mind the bad. Take courage to
do your duty to God: take courage to do
your duty to yourselves. Be ashamed
of sin. Be ashamed of nothing else.
Be ashamed OF letting false shame keep
you back from the avoidance of ever
lasting shame. Some" says the
prophet, that sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake to shame.' Let man
learn that he alone is truly wise who
makes the saving of the soul his pri-
mary concern, who holds cheap and
transient whatever earth can offer,
counting all things but-loss for the ex-
cellency of the knowledge of Christi
aud then shall numbers avoid-wOuld
that all of us may av0id-what would
otherwise be their fearful lot-the hav-
ing the Son Of Man ashamed of them
when He shall come in His own glory
and III His Fathers and of the holy
angels.
rOTrD Voaxr>nryN Dn-DHc